Early turnovers doom Hawks

Published: Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 12:23 AM.

Then again, they sometimes give you a pretty good idea of exactly what happened. Such was the case in South Johnston’s 55-10 win at North Lenoir Friday night.

The Hawks (1-7, 0-4 Eastern Carolina 3A) fumbled the ball four times in the first half, three of which were recovered by the Trojans. Factor in a couple of big returns, and South Johnston’s average offensive series started at the Hawks 41. When North Lenoir did manage to push the Trojans back, South Johnston responded with a 63-yard touchdown run and a 90-yard kickoff return, both from senior Quentin Williams (10 carries, 140 yards). The Trojans also scored on runs of 6, 4 and 1 yards and added a 17-yard first-half touchdown pass for good measure. Three of those scores came as a result of Hawks fumbles.

The second half was little better for North Lenoir, which dropped its 31st straight conference game dating back to the end of the 2006 season.

“We have got to learn how to execute,” NL coach Calvin Sutton said. “That’s not the way we play. To have a great week of practice and then come out here like this, it’s a nightmare.”

The Trojans got the scoring started on their first drive when the Hawks fumbled on the third play of the game. South Johnston recovered and scored on a 6-yard run from Melvin Benton four plays later.

Then again, they sometimes give you a pretty good idea of exactly what happened. Such was the case in South Johnston’s 55-10 win at North Lenoir Friday night.

The Hawks (1-7, 0-4 Eastern Carolina 3A) fumbled the ball four times in the first half, three of which were recovered by the Trojans. Factor in a couple of big returns, and South Johnston’s average offensive series started at the Hawks 41. When North Lenoir did manage to push the Trojans back, South Johnston responded with a 63-yard touchdown run and a 90-yard kickoff return, both from senior Quentin Williams (10 carries, 140 yards). The Trojans also scored on runs of 6, 4 and 1 yards and added a 17-yard first-half touchdown pass for good measure. Three of those scores came as a result of Hawks fumbles.

The second half was little better for North Lenoir, which dropped its 31st straight conference game dating back to the end of the 2006 season.

“We have got to learn how to execute,” NL coach Calvin Sutton said. “That’s not the way we play. To have a great week of practice and then come out here like this, it’s a nightmare.”

The Trojans got the scoring started on their first drive when the Hawks fumbled on the third play of the game. South Johnston recovered and scored on a 6-yard run from Melvin Benton four plays later.

The Hawks tied the game with 5:11 remaining in the first quarter on a 3-yard run by Marsharee Troy (10 carries, 33 yards).

That was the closest the Hawks got, as South Johnston closed the half on a 35-3 run. The lone bright spot for North Lenoir came on a 41-yard Caleb Baird field goal with 3:55 remaining in the half.

Unfortunately for North Lenoir, the Trojans (6-1, 3-0) responded with Williams’ 90-yard kick return on the ensuing kickoff.

“We can’t do that and expect to win,” Sutton said of his team’s tendency to give up the big play.

The Trojans outgained North Lenoir 455-135 on the evening. Trojans quarterback Austin Raynor led his team’s offensive output with 185 yards on 8-of-10 passing and added 32 yards on the ground on eight carries. Melvin Benton added 92 yards on 19 carries.

The Hawks, who are off next week, were paced by sophomore Donyae Hopkins’ 44 yards on eight carries and Cedrid Summers’ 36 yards on five carries.